Islam v. Islam

[keithprosser3]

To this outsider the Islamic world seems to be fighting at least two internal wars;
one is between Conservative Islamism and Secularist Modernism the other between Shia and Sunni. Islam is not targetting the west - we are just caught in the crossfire of their internal wars. We probably suffer less than one might expect given the level of our interference in the Islamic world.

The level of violence shows that Islamism has been driven to extremes to hang on against reformism. I don't think that hard-line Islamism has much future. It is simply not suited to the modern world - it cannot survive in a world where the internet and MTV connect people and inform and educate them. We see in Egypt that Muslims today certainly do not want to abandon Islam, but they do not want it in the extreme form represented by the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood.

I wouldn't say the 'moderation' of Islam is imminent, nor even certain in the foreseeable future. I am saying that much of the violence we see is due to the conflict between conservatism and modernism in Islam.

The other conflict between Shia and Sunni I think can be viewed as a proxy war between Shia Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia, each striving to dominate the Islamic world. It is hard to see how we can have any influence over that conflict - at least not for the better.

[Philbert]

I don't think you even have a girlfriend.

Ok, that was wrong, Wrong, WRONG....

But it was funny too.

I vote otseng springs for a couple of good hookers, so we can test the theory that this entire forum is really about nothing more than a bunch of horny nerds having anonymous mind sex over the internet.

All in favor raise your, um, er.....

There's got to be something in the Bible about this!

[Danmark]

There is. 'Ebenezer.'*

One of the great Christian Hymns, 'O Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,'

contains the phrase, "As I raise my Ebenezer...."

I caught by dad and one of his buddies, the local college basketball coach, exchanging grins in church more than once as they sang that line.

We kids liked another great Hymn, 'All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name,'
because we could sing, 'Let angels' prostates fall...'

All hail the power of Jesus' name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown Him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown Him Lord of all.



________________
*I think an 'ebenezer' is a stone of blessing

[East of Eden]

All Muslims who believe Muhammed was a "perfect example" are dangerous.

[Dantalion]

I don't want a group that tries to veil my girlfriend

I don't think you even have a girlfriend.

Wow really ?
Can't handle actual arguments ?
I do have a girlfriend, not that I see this as any sort of 'accomplishment', nor would I see not having one as a failure or reason for mockery.

[otseng]

I vote otseng springs for a couple of good hookers, so we can test the theory that this entire forum is really about nothing more than a bunch of horny nerds having anonymous mind sex over the internet.

All in favor raise your, um, er.....

There's got to be something in the Bible about this!

Moderator Comment

I don't think there's anything in the Bible about these, but there are things in the forum rules about these.

Please review the Rules.


______________

Moderator comments do not count as a strike against any posters. They only serve as an acknowledgment that a post report has been received, but has not been judged to warrant a moderator warning against a particular poster. Any challenges or replies to moderator postings should be made via Private Message to avoid derailing topics.

[East of Eden]

Just in: American beaten in London for drinking beer in 'Sharia Zone':

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2 ... trols.html

[Danmark]

Just in: American beaten in London for drinking beer in 'Sharia Zone':

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2 ... trols.html

Just in: gays beaten by priests for just being gay:
http://freethinker.co.uk/2013/06/02/not ... ys-priest/

[East of Eden]

Just in: American beaten in London for drinking beer in 'Sharia Zone':

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2 ... trols.html

Just in: gays beaten by priests for just being gay:
http://freethinker.co.uk/2013/06/02/not ... ys-priest/

What does that have to do with the OP? BTW, gays also are harrassed in the 'Sharia Zones'.

[Danmark]

Just in: American beaten in London for drinking beer in 'Sharia Zone':

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2 ... trols.html

Just in: gays beaten by priests for just being gay:
http://freethinker.co.uk/2013/06/02/not ... ys-priest/

What does that have to do with the OP? BTW, gays also are harrassed [sic] in the 'Sharia Zones'.

I believe you just answered your own question. Both in your OP and in the post I responded to, it appears you are singling out Islam as a particularly obnoxious religion in terms of harassing (and worse) others who they disagree with on moral or other grounds. Islam is clearly not alone in this.

[keithprosser3]

I would guess these 'Muslim Patrols' are street gangs of a few disaffected young men with very little knowledge of Islam - basically only the vague notion that it prohibits things like alcohol and certain forms of dress.

I would suggest they have the same relation to Islam that soccer clubs have with the 'firms' of hooligans that attach themselves to their names and have pretty much the same psychological motivations.

Muslim street gangs - they do exist - are symptomatic of something, but exactly what I don't know. But blaming Islam for them is like blaming soccer for the ICF.

Here is another case of inter-group conflict that could bring down civilisation as we know it.